Parliamentary review on proposed £30 week cut to ESA

Thu,12 November 2015
News

A review is to take place in Parliament on 8 December about how the Government’s proposed reduction in ESA for those in the Work Related Activity group might affect disabled people

This cut of £30 per week would be for new people claiming the benefit from April 2017.

It would mean instead of £102.15 a week, new people coming onto the benefit would only get £73.10.

The review is being led by Lord Low of Dalston, Baroness Meacher and Baroness Grey-Thompson, who are independent Peers in the House of Lords.

It will look at how losing £30 a week will affect the day-to-day lives of disabled people, and whether or not it will help them move closer to work.

Lord Low said:

“Charities have raised with me and other Peers their concerns about how the reduction in Employment and Support Allowance for those in the Work Related Activity group might affect disabled people.

I'm pleased therefore to have been asked to lead a review taking evidence from disabled people themselves, as well as interested charities and other organisations. I hope when the review reports in December, it aids the debate on the Welfare Reform and Work Bill and is useful to Government, the sector and of course disabled people themselves."

Disability Rights UK’s CEO Liz Sayce will give oral evidence to the review.

Our written evidence submission to the Parliamentary review is available here